No Pie in Sky for Fired Pizza Hut Workers

Members of the Chicago Worker's Collaborative whom I encountered last month protesting "No Match" firings in front of a west Bucktown Pizza Hut will hit the streets again tomorrow, this time at the corner of Lake and Wabash where perhaps the rising number of unemployed citizens should gather in support of the protesters, and to intercept the pizzas before they hit the trash bins.

But that could be missing the point. To eat Pizza Hut's "pies of affliction" would be to support the exploitation, and firing of nearly 100 Latino workers at Chicago-land Pizza Huts whom were released from their jobs on account of no-match letters requesting clarification on social security number matches.

According to CWC organizer Leone Jose Bicchieri, workers will ask Pizza Hut to "Hold the Exploitation!" They will also pitch Pizza Hut pizzas into the garbage, and distribute hundreds of bi-lingual leaflets during the lunch hour protest.

The CWC is joined by The National Immigration Law Center (NILC), which has contacted the national corporate leadership of Pizza Hut to express concern about the recent firings of Latino workers. Other local organizations who are calling on Pizza Hut to stop the firing of Latino workers include the Latino Union, The 8th Day Justice Center, the Chicago New Sanctuary Movement, ARISE Chicago, UE Local 1110 (United Electrial Workers), and the Centro de Trabajadores Unidos (SE Chicago Worker Center).

For more info, contact: Chicago Workers' Collaborative, 773-655-0815, leonejb@prodigy.net

Chicago Reader, and Link to Tori Marlan's story
http://blogs.chicagoreader.com/chicagoland/2009/03/25/no-match-bogeyman-strikes-again/#comments_last

Video from last month's protest, below:

Pizza Hut Protest

Pizza Hut Workers Protest Layoffs

Current, and former employees from Pizza Huts as far as Elgin gathered in West Bucktown today to protest recent layoffs, affecting an estimated 100 Latino workers, primarily those with the most seniority at the chain, which is part of the Texas based Yum Brands corporation. Chants of "Si, se puede," or "Yes, we can!" (I think) filled the air as protestors passed out flyers encouraging the public to call Pizza Hut President Scott Bergren, and "Tell him that Pizza Hut should stop firing its long-time immigrant employees and return those it has already fired back to work."

According to organizer Leone Jose Bicchieri, of the Chicago Workers Collaborative, the impetus for the firings were Social Security "No Match" letters sent to Pizza Hut franchisees requiring them to correct mismatched SSNs, and to update name, and address information for affected employees. Per the National Immigration Law Center, the only obligation of an employer upon receipt of an SSA "No Match" letter is to notify its employee for the purpose of obtaining the correct information. In this case, however, employees were released from their positions, many after decades of service. Pictured here are five employees of an Elgin Pizza Hut with over 40 years of combined experience. The women received letters last week notifying them that they would be terminated on account of the "No Match" letters.

Leonardo, a worker from a Melrose Park Pizza Hut, was recently let go, along with his wife. Both worked in the kitchen for 10 years, and were replaced by younger, and cheaper workers. Per Leonardo, he suspects that it is easier because Pizza Hut will not have to pay the new workers vacation hours, and they will work 32 hours per week vs. 40.

Sources: Leone Jose Bicchieri, Chicago Workers Collaborative, 773-655-0815, leonejb@prodigy.net

Per the flyer (sorry, no scanner), call Pizza Hut President, Scott Bergren, at 972-338-7700.